Oppose tax hike, four lawmakers tell Miami-Dade

Four Miami-Dade Republican state representatives sent a letter to Miami-Dade County Commission Dennis Moss urging him and his colleagues to reject a proposed property tax rate hike at a budget hearing Thursday afternoon.

"We challenge you to find ways to provide services without burdening an already struggling local economy with increases to our neighbors' tax bills," says the letter, signed by Carlos Lopez-Cantera of Miami, the House majority whip; Erik Fresen of Miami; and Esteban "Steve" Bovo and Eddy Gonzalez, both of Hialeah.

The tax rate increase, proposed by Mayor Carlos Alvarez and County Manager George Burgess, has caused a tizzy on Spanish-language TV and radio, where business leader Norman Braman earlier this week threatened a recall effort against the mayor and any commissioners who voted in favor of a rate hike.